Louis “Goldy” Goldbrum’s Hell Ship Account

      On July 24 1943 I was taken from my cell in the Bilibid prison and made to join a group of 500 American POWs being sent to Japan. 
We boarded a small freighter (the Clyde Maru) and were put below in a hold too small for all of us to stretch out. In addition there were bags of curry powder stacked in the hold with us. There was no running water no toilet facilities and with the hatch closed no air. After a short while because of seasickness lack of places to relieve oneself other illnesses such as diarrhea etc. the stench soon became unbearable.
When we were finally allowed topside it was for about an hour during which time we bathed with buckets of seawater we relieved ourselves over the side and were given our ration of food and water. As far as I can recall I was never harassed by the Japanese the entire trip. The voyage was horrible enough without their harassment. I think we lost three comrades during the voyage. They were taken topside and their bodies were unceremoniously dumped overboard.

Much to my good fortune this episode of my life seems to have been blocked out. I don’t remember too much about it as is apparent by my writings above. I think I have flash backs while I am sleeping but when I wake up there is no recall.